Tennis pro Jannik Sinner's controversial doping ban and famous ex girlfriend
Tennis star Jannik Sinner may be among the favourites to win Wimbledon, but he nearly missed out on playing in the tournament after a doping suspension earlier this year.
The Italian world number one failed two drug tests in 2024, leading to a suspension from all tennis competitions between February 9 and May 4, 2025, following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Sinner, 23, tested positive twice for clostebol - a banned anabolic steroid known to promote muscle growth.
WADA accepted Sinner's explanation that the positive tests were the result of accidental contamination. According to the findings, his physiotherapist had treated a cut on Sinner's finger using a spray that unknowingly contained clostebol.
While WADA concluded that Sinner had no intent to cheat, they held him accountable for his team's negligence, which led to his suspension.
The case sparked controversy across the tennis world. Several players expressed concerns that Sinner may have received preferential treatment due to his high profile and access to elite legal representation - advantages not typically available to lower-ranked athletes.
The initial announcement of the positive tests came in August 2024, when an independent tribunal revealed that Sinner had failed two drug tests during March 2024. While the tribunal also accepted his explanation of accidental contamination, they found Sinner bore 'no fault or negligence' and did not impose a ban at that time.
Instead, the tribunal ordered that Sinner forfeit ranking points and prize money earned at the Indian Wells tournament that March.
This prompted WADA to intervene and appeal the initial decision, resulting in Sinner receiving a three-month suspension following a negotiated agreement. However, WADA's ruling remained controversial, as Sinner was permitted to return in time to compete at the 2025 French Open.
"It just seems a little bit too convenient"' former British number one Tim Henman said in February. "Having just won the [2025] Australian Open, to miss three months of the Tour and therefore to be eligible to play at Roland-Garros, the timing couldn't have been any better for Sinner, but I still think it leaves a pretty sour taste for the sport.
"When you're dealing with drugs in sport it very much has to be black and white, it's binary, it's positive or negative, you're banned or you're not banned.
"When you start reading words like settlement or agreement, it feels like there's been a negotiation and I don't think that will sit well with the player cohort and the fans of the sport."
Away from the tennis court, attention has increasingly focused on Sinner's personal life, particularly his romantic relationships.
Reports indicate that last month, while preparing for the Italian Open in Monte Carlo, Sinner was accompanied by Russian model Lara Leito. Italian publication Chi magazine published photos of the 23-year-old tennis star with the 31-year-old model at the Monte Carlo Country Club.
Leito previously dated Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody for six years and has also been linked romantically to French actor Olivier Martinez. According to sources, Sinner and Leito were seen sharing a kiss and an embrace after she watched his training session from the sidelines.
It comes Sinner's breakup with fellow tennis player Anastasia Kalinskaya in November, ending a seven-month relationship. Last month, Sinner confirmed he is currently single.
'There's a lot of attention,' he said in May. 'Also, off the court, I was surprised to see some pictures, but nothing serious. I'm not in a relationship!'
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